Good news for seniors. People over 65 can count on benefits

In 2025, seniors in Poland can count on a number of financial benefits and reliefs that are supposed to improve their financial situation. These include both annual cash benefits and special benefits for selected groups. Some of them are paid automatically, others require the submission of an appropriate application.

What's more, after reaching the age of 60, and even more so 65 or 75, many people can also take advantage of discounts and rebates . Depending on the city and the form of public transport, there are specific discounts on public transport and train travel. Seniors can also take advantage of cheaper tickets to cinemas, museums and theatres.

In 2025, seniors can count on two additional benefits: a thirteenth and fourteenth pension. This is an additional cash injection for seniors who save every penny.

The thirteenth pension, paid automatically in spring, is available to all eligible retirees and pensioners receiving benefits from ZUS. This year, its amount was PLN 1,884.91 gross , which after deducting the health insurance contribution and tax gives approximately PLN 1,709.81 net.

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"Fourteen" is also a non-application benefit , but there is an income threshold. In 2025, the full amount (equal to the lowest pension applicable from March) will be received by people with a monthly benefit of up to PLN 2,900 gross. Above this threshold, the "zloty for zloty" rule applies. When is the supplement not due? If its value is below PLN 50 or a person whose pension or disability pension exceeds PLN 4,728.91 gross.

Despite this, both benefits are highly regarded by seniors . And no wonder.

Seniors can count on additional financial support in the form of a care allowance . In 2025, its amount is PLN 348.22 gross per month, and the benefit is paid out by the Social Insurance Institution.

The right to the supplement is granted to seniors who are over 75 years of age. In their case, the benefit is granted automatically , without the need to submit an application.

The situation is different for younger people (women who have reached at least 60 years of age and men over 65) who struggle with serious health problems. If the ZUS medical examiner determines complete incapacity for work and independent existence, it is possible to obtain the supplement also before the age of 75.

Persons with the status of a war veteran or a repressed person may receive additional financial support if they submit an application to ZUS and present appropriate documents confirming their entitlement, e.g. a certificate from the Office for War Veterans.

The ones paid include:

• Veteran's allowance - PLN 348.22 gross per month
• Compensation allowance - PLN 52.23 gross per month
• Energy flat-rate tax - PLN 312.71 gross to cover energy costs

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These benefits are paid upon presentation of documents confirming entitlement . The aforementioned energy flat-rate is described below.

This benefit is available to selected groups . Veterans, repressed persons, as well as widows and widowers whose deceased loved ones met the conditions for receiving the lump sum can apply for the energy lump sum. Of course, after meeting all the criteria. In 2025, the lump sum amount is PLN 312.71 gross per month.

To obtain support, you must submit an application at a ZUS branch or use the online form available on the ZUS website.

Some benefits have nothing to do with age or income. They are available to those who have experienced exceptional hardship in the past.

Example? People conducting secret teaching during the war can receive 348.22 PLN per month. Similarly, there were soldiers who were forcibly employed between 1949 and 1959.

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Higher support of PLN 522.34 is also provided for war invalids who are unable to work and live independently.

People who are 65 years old or older can count on access to selected medicines without incurring costs. This applies to preparations on the so-called "S" list , which is a list of free medicinal products most often used by elderly patients.

If you wish to take advantage of this privilege, it is worth speaking to your doctor about issuing an appropriate prescription.